I was hired into a SICU about 6 months ago just coming out of school. I made it through orientation just fine, and have gotten good feedback from others in the unit on my performance thus far. However, I'm starting to think the ICU is not for me. I think its the constant/extreme morbidity of the patients and the stress level that has gotten to me.
I'm just wondering the best way to handle this situation. Should I go to my manager and tell her how I feel, or just start looking for a new unit/hospital to move to in another area? I was thinking a regular floor or something like OR.
What an honest and courageous post! I have been an ICU nurse for almost 2 years now and the first year or so was very nerve-wracking for me. What I did to help myself was to study for and receive my CCRN certification. It was an invaluable process for me because not only did it solidify my knowledge, but it also really helped my confidence and sense of competence. I would HIGHLY recommend it. It would be great on your path to CRNA school as well.
What I have learned about ICU nursing is that it is really a very specialized and narrow set of skills. Once I began seeing it as such it helped me feel less overwhelmed. Yes, your patients can be sick, but you are really never alone. It really helped me as well to really take note of all the resources available to me. All of that helped ease my fears.
It may be true that you really don't like ICU nursing. However, I don't think you can really decide after only 6 months...especially as a new grad. Check out the sticky thread under Cardiac ICU nursing on the CCRN and see what you think...I promise it will help!!
Now, to be honest....I am scared of having to be pulled to the floor. Any day now, I know I will walk in and they will say "you were added to the pull rotation" (we take turns being pulled). I am scared of not being able to just look up and see my patient. I am scared of having 6 patients. I am scared of not being able to monitor B/P, HR, RR, and O2 sats continuously!!! Yes my patients are in critical condition, but many on the floor are as well. Today's floor patients were ICU patients in the 70s 80s. My CNS said today's floor patients use to be ICU patients and our ICU patients use to be dead!!! We are able to keep patients alive longer and they are sicker. So we end up pushing less CRITICAL (yet still critical) patients to the floor. So yes, the floors scare me.
Jay:
I was 35 yrs old when I bacame a nurse-I had experience in Respiratory care (4yrs) but that only gave me a slight edge into what I was about to experience! I have now been an Icu rn (ccrn) for 12 yrs and can tell you the best NEW grads for ICU are older men and women (not that YOU are old) because they have experienced so many life situations and can make really sound critical care decisions. I think age is a factor but your skills as a parent greatly enhances your ability of being a patient advocate. I have been a preceptor for newly grads and they have become awesome ICU nurses, but the older new grad is the shinier penny. We have a rapid response team in our unit and once you are called to a floor, all your basic knowledge kicks in WITHOUT having a monitor. It takes a few years to develop this innate sense, but it will come! I'm glad there are new grads like you here!
Specializes in Not too many areas I haven't dipped into.
Hello,
I was hired into a SICU about 6 months ago just coming out of school. I made it through orientation just fine, and have gotten good feedback from others in the unit on my performance thus far. However, I'm starting to think the ICU is not for me. I think its the constant/extreme morbidity of the patients and the stress level that has gotten to me.
I'm just wondering the best way to handle this situation. Should I go to my manager and tell her how I feel, or just start looking for a new unit/hospital to move to in another area? I was thinking a regular floor or something like OR.
Well, It sounds like you have already received a lot of good advice from a bunch of great people.
I say listen to your heart and what it is telling you. But, just be aware taht as nurses, we are stressed. Not all patients get well and a lot of them die. It takes time to find your own personal way with how to cope with this loss. You will find yours but don't use it as a way to "run away" from the ICU.
Think it out but always always be truthful with your manager. a little honesty goes a long long way.
deeDawntee, RN
1,579 Posts
Hey CarboneF11,
What an honest and courageous post! I have been an ICU nurse for almost 2 years now and the first year or so was very nerve-wracking for me. What I did to help myself was to study for and receive my CCRN certification. It was an invaluable process for me because not only did it solidify my knowledge, but it also really helped my confidence and sense of competence. I would HIGHLY recommend it. It would be great on your path to CRNA school as well.
What I have learned about ICU nursing is that it is really a very specialized and narrow set of skills. Once I began seeing it as such it helped me feel less overwhelmed. Yes, your patients can be sick, but you are really never alone. It really helped me as well to really take note of all the resources available to me. All of that helped ease my fears.
It may be true that you really don't like ICU nursing. However, I don't think you can really decide after only 6 months...especially as a new grad. Check out the sticky thread under Cardiac ICU nursing on the CCRN and see what you think...I promise it will help!!
Good luck! Let us know what you decide.
;)